Alex Cunningham MP
Alex urges missing millions to get “pumped up” following Know Your Numbers Week
As many as eight million people across the UK are unaware that they are at risk of a stroke or heart attack because of their blood pressure, and Alex Cunningham has urged residents across the Stockton Borough to make sure that they are not one of the “missing millions” by having a blood pressure check that might save their life.
During Blood Pressure UK’s Know Your Numbers! Week, which ran from 15-21 September, the Labour MP for Stockton North visited one of over 1,000 official Pressure Stations open during the week to undertake a blood pressure check and is encouraging residents across the Borough to do the same.
Statistics from the Blood Pressure UK campaign in 2013 revealed that 11% of 16-24 year olds and 17% of 25-34 year olds had high blood pressure, and around a quarter of all younger men had a high normal blood pressure. This year’s campaign aimed to highlight that there are eight million people in the UK that are living with high blood pressure but not being treated for it – both young and old – putting them at risk of stroke and heart attacks.
Alex said:
“Having high blood pressure is a major but preventable cause of both heart disease and stroke, and as many as one in three adults suffers from the condition. But I was even more shocked to learn that eight million of them don’t even know it, and are not therefore receiving treatment.
“Each year 120,000 adults in the UK have a heart attack or stroke in which high blood pressure is a key factor – that's a preventable stroke or heart attack every four minutes. But taking steps to lower blood pressure is something we can all do to improve our general health, and this begins with knowing your blood pressure. So I hope that as many people as possible will join me in having a blood pressure check to reduce their risk.”
Katharine Jenner, Chief Executive Officer at Blood Pressure UK, said: “16 million people in the UK have high blood pressure, but worryingly only half of them are aware of this and are being treated. These “missing millions” are a ticking time bomb, putting themselves at high risk of having a stroke or a heart attack. However, luckily, if detected high blood pressure can be managed and returned to a healthy level.”
Professor Graham MacGregor, Chairman of Blood Pressure UK, added: “It’s great that Alex supported Know Your Numbers! Week 2014. With our busy lifestyles, many people are unaware that they have high blood pressure so there is a real need to raise awareness and reach those “missing millions”.”
Contact
For more information please contact Alex Cunningham on 020 7219 7157.